A Mitchell Research & Communications poll (600 LVs, 11/17-19, 22-24, +/- 4%) shows Attorney General Mike Cox (R) with a slim lead in the GOP gubernatorial primary in 2010, but a sizeable advantage in the open-seat race against Lt. Gov. John Cherry (D), the likely Democratic nominee. Gov. Jennifer Granholm (D) is not seeking a third term in the state hardest hit by the economic downturn.

Republican Primary Election Matchup
Cox 27 (-3 vs. last poll, 9/17)
Hoekstra 24 (+1)
Bouchard 12 (+1)
George 3 (+1)
Snyder 3 (+1)
Und 30 (-2)

Democratic Primary Election Matchup
Cherry 49 (+1)
Dillon 8 (-6)

General Election Matchup
Cox 47 (+2)
Cherry 31 (-1)

Cox has a 47 percent favorable rating vs. 21 percent unfavorable. Cherry, despite being the state's lieutenant governor for seven years, has a lower name ID than the Republican frontrunner.

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